Nummer

037-EN

Abschnitt

General Section

Anwendung

Kurzfassung

This document concerns the general toxicity of 2-methoxyethanol and some common alternatives to its use in different applications. The most common substitutes for 2-methoxyethanol are: PGME, EGBE, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether (EGPE) and their acetates (PGMEA, EGBEA, EGPEA). The decision which alternative to use depends on what application 2-methoxyethanol is currently used in.

Substituierte Stoffe

Alternative Stoffe

Verlässlichkeit der Informationen

Beleg der Umsetzung: es ist belegt, dass die Lösung zur Zeit der Veröffentlichung umgesetzt und in Benutzung war

Grund für die Substitution

physical hazards
CMR

Gefahrstoffbeurteilung

Substance to be substituted: 2-methoxyethanol may cause cancer (cat. 1B), according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances: The alternative substances are not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. » Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Beschreibung der Substitution

2-Methoxyethanol has found a wide application as a solvent, chemical intermediate and solvent coupler of mixtures and water-based formulations. Its use has declined, however, in recent years as a result of its classification and consequent replacement by other substances in some countries. For cosmetics the use of 2-Methoxyethanol is forbidden. Sources indicate that it is now mainly used as a chemical intermediate or as additive for fuels (OSPA, 2010). It can also be used as an industrial processing aid in different areas (e.g. in the manufacture of medical devices). According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 1993) the most common substitutes for 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol and their acetates are PGME, EGBE, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether (EGPE) and their acetates (PGMEA, EGBEA, EGPEA). These chemicals account for almost 90 percent of reported substitutions. It is important to consider that the substitution of 2-methoxyethanol must always be investigated in detail for every specific application, especially if it is used as a solvent or in plastics industry. It is therefore not feasible to name a general substitute for 2-methoxymethanol in all applications. The substances mentioned above are however good alternatives regarding both function and toxicological properties. Aside from alternatives to 2-methoxyethanol the document also contains information on physical and chemical properties of the substance as well as information on hazards for environment and human health, and on use and exposure.

Bewertung des Falls/der Substitution

This is a dossier prepared for the inclusion of 2-methoxyethanol for the candidate list of SVHC. The dossier identifies the alternatives used. Even though some of the alternatives may be regarded safer than the original substance, there is still a need to identify even safer alternatives for 2-methoxyethanol.

Art der Informationsquelle

Verantwortlich
Hersteller / Vertreiber

Kontakt

The document is authored by the Environment Agency Austria in cooperation with the Belgian Federal Public Service and the Polsh Bureau for Chemical Substances and Preparations. Many of the statistics in the report come from the Oxygenated Solvent Producers Association (OSPA).

Art der Veröffentlichung und Verfügbarkeit

Annex XV dossier, freely available

Information zur Quelle oder Publikation: Author, Firma, Institut, Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung

Daphnia Instituto Sindical de Trabajo, Ambiente y Salud (ISTAS) - CCOO December 1995

Publikationsquelle

Art und Verfügbarkeit der Veröffentlichung

https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/b6b959c2-14c8-4612-9e91-cf181a867dd2

Datum der Überprüfung

11. Dezember 2020